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April 17, 2009

Kearny library renovations on the way

Thursday, April 02, 2009
By ROSE DUGER
KW CORRESPONDENT

K earny is planning several renovations to the main and branch libraries on Kearny Avenue to increase accessibility for patrons with disabilities and boost security.

Library Director Julie McCarthy outlined the projects for the renovations, which will be funded largely through state grants, at a recent meeting of the town's governing body.

Preliminary plans call for the small first floor bathroom at the branch library to be moved and expanded to better accommodate people with disabilities.

The space that now includes the bathroom would be used to increase the number of computers at the 1,000-square-foot branch, a quaint building acquired by the town in 1927 to provide library access to residents in the northern part of Kearny.

"The bathroom is not handicapped accessible," McCarthy pointed out. "In fact, I think it's barely accessible to people who aren't handicapped."

McCarthy estimated the project's cost at $19,000. The library's Board of Directors plan to tap into $103,000 in state funding the library has received to finance upgrades. The project received the thumbs up from elected officials at the meeting.

"To me, I think it's very important that the bathroom facility be accessible to disabled persons," said Mayor Al Santos, pointing out that renovations to the exterior of the structure several years ago increased accessibility to the building. "I think this is something we should rectify now."

The library board, which is headed by President Jennifer Cullen, has also proposed replacing the front doors of the main library with sturdy wood-framed doors similar to those installed at Town Hall.

McCarthy said the current doors aren't energy efficient and an interior door in the vestibule came off its hinges last year.

The board was "shocked", however, when estimates to replace the front and interior doors hovered around $60,000, according to McCarthy.

"That's a lot of money in a recession, so we thought we could replace the front doors and wait a couple of years for the inside," she said. "We'd be moving toward beautifying and improving the security of the library."

Santos suggested that the library board seek funding for the doors in an application for several state grants it is submitting for the construction of a children's garden and replacement of a retaining wall and fence around the perimeter of the property.

"I think if we're going to make an investment in the garden, the front door is an extension of that," Santos said.

Posted by tumulty at April 17, 2009 3:07 PM

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